CHICAGO (November 14, 2019) – Loyola University Chicago head women's basketball coach Kate Achter announced the signing of three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Thursday.  The Ramblers will add Maya Chandler (Martinsville, Ind./Triton Central), Kaylen Evans (New Lenox, Ill./Nazareth Academy), and Sitori Tanin (Middleton, Wis./Middleton) to their roster ahead of the 2020-21 season.
 
"What a special day to be a Rambler," Achter said.  "We are very lucky to officially welcome three fantastic young women to our family.  Sitori, Kaylen, and Maya really embody what it means to be a Rambler, and they also fit our style of play very well.  They are hungry, they are smart, and they are proven winners.  Most of all, they are not afraid of growth through development."
 
MAYA CHANDLER
5-7 • Guard
Martinsville, Ind. • Triton Central
 
An explosive combo guard out of Martinsville, Ind., Maya Chandler has won three straight Indiana Crossroads Conference (ICC) titles during her time at Triton Central with head coach Bryan Graham.  She burst on the scene as a freshman, garnering Honorable Mention All-State accolades to go along with an All-ICC selection.  Chandler has only continued to rise during the past two seasons, earning back-to-back All-State nods from the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association (ICGSA), garnering First Team accolades following a junior campaign that saw her guide the Tigers to a second consecutive sectional title.  A 2019 Indiana Junior All-Star selection, Chandler, who averaged 14.4 points and 4.2 assists last season, plays on the club level for coach Tony Marlin's Indiana Elite Thunder, with whom she won an Adidas Gauntlet National Championship.
 
Achter on Maya: "Maya is as tough as they come.  She knows how to win, and will do anything to help her team do so.  She is the second player we've added in as many years with an AAU national championship under her belt.  I am excited to watch how much Maya's competitiveness wears off on her teammates."
 
KAYLEN EVANS
5-8 • Guard
New Lenox, Ill. • Nazareth Academy
 
The lone member of Loyola's 2020-21 class to call the state of Illinois home, guard Kaylen Evans has racked up honors during her high school career.  After capturing a pair of regional titles at Marian Catholic High School, Evans made her way to Nazareth Academy.  Under the direction of head coach Eddie Stritzel, she helped the Roadrunners to a third-place finish in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 3A State Tournament this past season.  Evans, who features on the club level for coach Barry Bradford's Example Sports Wolf Pack, poured in 15.0 points per game and dished out a staggering 7.0 assists per game last season, taking home RB Landmark All-Star First Team honors in addition to a Third Team All-State selection by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA).
 
Achter on Kaylen: "Kaylen is one of the more dynamic guards we've ever signed.  She is strong with the ball in her hands and she absolutely loves keeping her teammates involved.  We are most excited about Kaylen's ability to get past defenders and that she can continue to do so in front of a hometown crowd."
 
SITORI TANIN
6-2 • Forward
Middleton, Wis. • Middleton
 
Forward Sitori Tanin makes her way to Rogers Park by way of Middleton, Wis. and Middleton High School, where she played for head coach Jeff Kind.  After earning Honorable Mention All-State honors as a sophomore, Tanin enjoyed a wildly successful junior season, averaging 13.0 points and a Big 8 Conference-best 11.0 rebounds en route to earning First Team All-Big 8 honors and All-State accolades from both the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and the Associated Press.  She helped the Cardinal capture conference, regional, and sectional crowns on their way to a berth in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Division I State Championship Game.  Like Chandler, Tanin won an Adidas Gauntlet National Championship on the club level, starring for Wisconsin Flight Elite and coach Nic Levy. 
 
Achter on Sitori: "Sitori is long and lean and one of the most athletic forwards we've ever recruited.  A gifted track athlete as well, Sitori will allow us to push the pace with our current group and continue to stretch the floor like we do with some of our more veteran players."
 
Off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2011-12, Loyola continues a season-long four-game road trip on Tuesday, November 19 when it makes the short trip south to take on Chicago State at 7 p.m.